Fergie 2 Kop 0: United boss snaps up Phil Jones... and now for Ashley Young

Sir Alex Ferguson will complete a dramatic transfer double over Liverpool in the next 48 hours by signing England winger Ashley Young from Aston Villa in a £15million deal.

The Manchester United manager took time out from his holiday in the south of France to ambush old rival Kenny Dalglish by paying £16.5m to snatch Blackburn’s teenage defender Phil Jones from Liverpool’s grasp.

Big money move: Phil Jones departs following his medical with Manchester United

On his way: Jones was in his Under 21 suit for his Carrington medical

And, as revealed in Sportsmail last month, Ferguson is convinced he will win the race for Anfield target Young as well.

The
25-year-old’s agent, Eric Walters, was understood to have been at
United’s training ground at Carrington on Wednesday to finalise the
deal.

Young is said to want the move to Old Trafford tied up before his wedding this weekend.

His arrival will complete a remarkable coup for Ferguson following the capture of Jones.

United he stands: Ashley Young is set to sign at Old Trafford

Liverpool thought they were first in
line for the highly rated 19-year-old after agreeing to sign his England
Under 21 team-mate Jordan Henderson from Sunderland in a deal worth
£20m.

Both players were given permission to miss England’s flight to Denmark ahead of the

European Under 21 Championship.

But, while Henderson travelled to Merseyside for his medical, Jones and his representatives met United to complete a five-year deal worth £40,000 a week.

Look out behind you: Sir Alex Ferguson is set to get the better of Kenny Dalglish once more

Ferguson acted on his long-standing interest in Jones when it looked like the player was bound for Anfield, the manager interrupting his summer holiday to sanction the deal.

He told Jones he sees him as the long-term replacement for Rio Ferdinand and also talked to his parents.

Dalglish and Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger are both believed to have spoken to the teenager after agreeing to meet the £16m release clause in his contract.

The Gunners will now turn their attention to landing Bolton’s Gary Cahill or Blackburn’s Chris Samba
having missed out on Jones.

Hot property: Jones had his pick of Premier League clubs

Blackburn also made a huge effort to keep Jones, offering to beat United’s terms by making him the highest-paid player at Ewood Park on £50,000 a week, while Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp confirmed he made a late bid.

‘We were in for him along with about five other top clubs,’ said Redknapp. ‘I think everybody was in for the boy.

‘Obviously he had a choice and he’s made up his mind that Manchester United was the move for him.

‘I think he’s got the potential to go on one day to be an England centre half and maybe even a captain of England. I think he’s that good so Alex has pulled off a real coup.’

Pleased as punch: Wayne Rooney (left) took time out from his holiday in Barbados to reveal his delight at Jones' signing

United striker Wayne Rooney was first to indicate that a deal had been done when he wrote on Twitter: ‘Phil Jones is a good young English player. One of the toughest defenders I played against last season. Can play midfield too.’

Ferguson will take his summer spending to almost £50m when he completes the signing of Spanish goalkeeper David De Gea from Atletico Madrid.

Although 20-year-old De Gea insisted he will make an announcement on his future after the European Under 21 Championship, a £17m deal is already in place as United look to replace Edwin van der Sar, who retired at the end of the season.